Audiology 2050

SCOPE OF PRACTICE CONSISTENT WITH OTHER CLINICAL DOCTORS

Strip the term “non-medical” out of state audiology practice laws
Ensure that state audiology practice laws include evaluate, diagnose, manage, and treat auditory and vestibular conditions, which accurately
represents the scope of practice for audiology
Expand and intensify education and training in pharmacology, imaging, and other areas of clinical focus to ensure provider readiness
Audiologists practice at the top of scope of practice and across the continuum of care (including prevention)

STANDARDIZED, EVIDENCE-BASED CLINICAL PRACTICE

PROFESSIONAL WORKFORCE INCLUDING EXTENDERS

Develop new staffing and service delivery models that improve efficiency and patient outcomes
Develop new educational models that develop and incorporate qualified extenders into audiology practice
Create an undergraduate degree that qualifies dispensers in a medical audiology model
Design and implement interdisciplinary care models in private practice settings
Incorporate innovative channels for audiology service delivery (telehealth, mobile audiology etc.)

AUDIOLOGISTS ADVANCE PROFESSIONAL SOCIALIZATION INITIATIVES

University curriculum values and encourages private practice
CAA/ACAE standards encourage students to participate organizational membership and advocacy for the profession
Preceptors require universities to meet standards of practice and professionalism as a condition of taking students

AUDIOLOGISTS ARE ADVOCATES AND ACTIVISTS FOR THE PROFESSION

ACHIEVE MEDICARE LLP STATUS

Move toward unbundled and hybrid service pricing
Audiologists held to the same standards for ethics and compliance as other LLP providers and clinical doctoring professionals
Eliminate reliance on profit from devices as a mechanism for profitability/sustainability
Exceptional students compete for entrance into audiology training programs

PRIMARY CARE ENTRY POINT FOR AUDITORY & VESTIBULAR CONDITIONS

Audiologists have knowledge of “whole body”
Case history that reflects point-of-entry provider
Public perception of audiology is as the point-of-entry provider for hearing and balance
Employ/supervise/collaborate with allied health and physicians as part of a multidisciplinary/inter-professional team
Increase the number of independent private audiology practices
Audiologists meet patients where they are in their hearing journey (including encouraging self-care such as OTC, when appropriate)